holmes



(No Model.) 2 sheets-sheen 1.

B. F. HOLMES.

STOCK GAR.

@Patented Mar. 4, 1890.

N, marins Phnwmwgnpher, wmangw'.- n. c,

(No Model.) 2 sheets-sheen 2, B. F. HOLMES. STOCK GAR.

No. 422,413. Patented Mar. 4, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN F. HOLMES, OF NEI/V YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN -LIVESTOCK EXPRESS COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

STOCK-CAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 422,413, dated March 4,1890.

Application filed .Tune 23, 1887.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, BENJAMIN F. HOLMES, of New York, in the county ofNew York and State of New York, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Stock-Cars,

of which the following is a speciiication.

I will describe a stock-car embodying my improvement in detail, and thenpoint out the novel features in claims.

I have only illustrated in the accompanying drawings such portions of astock-car as are conducive to a clear understanding of my improvement.

Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section of a stock-car embodying myimprovement, taken in the plane of the dotted line s S,Fig. 3. Fig. 2 isa longitudinal section thereof, taken on the plane of the dotted line a:oc, Fig. l. Fig. 3 i's a plan or top View of the car, a certain portionbeing broken away to disclose a part which would otherwise have beenconcealed. Fig. 4 is an end view of the car. Fig. 5 is an outside viewof one of a number of shutters employed in the car. Fig. 6 is a view ofthe same looking from the top and partly in section. Fig. 7 is atransverse section of a portion of one of the stanchions of a car and ofone of certain sprocket-chains, showing means for securing thesprocket-chains to slats comprised in movable partitions employed in thecar. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a'portion of a sprocket-chain andfurther illustrating the means for securing thesame to the said slats.Fig. 9 is a face view of certain sprocketwheels over which saidsprocket-chains pass and a plate to which they are attached. Fig. 10 isan edge view of said sprocket-wheels anda side view of the plate. Fig.11 is a face View of one of a nnmberof other sprocketwheels and platesaround which said sprocketchains pass., Fig. 12 is a section of thesame, taken on the plane of the dotted line y y, Fig. 11. Figs. 7 and 12are drawn to an enlarged scale. Fig. 13 is a face view of a portion of acertain pipe-protector employed in the car. Fig. 14 is a verticalsection of the same. Fig. 15 is a vertical section of a portion of theside of a car, showing a modified form of means for raising and loweringa door employed in the car. Fig. 16 is a view on an enlarged scale andpartly in section illustrat- Serial No. 242,225. (No model.)

ing a portion of a car and the means employed to cause the door whenbeing raised or lowered to pass around a curve. Fig. 17 is a detailshowing part of the said means.

A designates the roof of the car, and B the iloor.

C designates stanchions extending from the iioor to the roof and actingas supports for the latter.

The portions D of the sides of the car are,' as shown, continuous for adistance above the floor, and are provided at their lower edges withhinged doors @,which lnay be opened for the purpose of cleaning theiioor of the car. 6 5

The portions D of the side of the car arev composed of slats b,extending lengthwise of the car and so arranged that spaces will be leftbetween the slats. Preferably theupper edges of the slats will inclineoutwardly and 7o downwardly. I have shown them so constructed in Fig. l.When the spaces between the slats are uncovered, air may circulatefreely through the same. It is often desirable, however, to coverthespaces between the slats in case of storms or for other reason, and Iemploy sliding shutters for this purpose. These shutters are illustratedparticularly in Figs. l, 2, and 5.

I construct the shutters as follows: I take 8c sheet-metal slats a',preferably galvanized iron, which slats shall about equal in width thewidth of the spaces between the slats b of the car. Against these slatsI place wirenetting a2, preferably made of galvanized iron wire. Havingso arranged the slats a that the spaces between them about equal thespaces between the slats b, I secure the whole together by means of ametal strip as, extending about the sides and one end of the 9o shutterand pinched over the same. Preferably I rivet the strip a3 to the slatsand the netting, as shown more clearly in Fig. 6. These shutters slideup and down in vertical grooves in the sides of the stanchions C. Thesegrooves are shown more clearly in dotted outline in Fig. 2. I have shownconvenient means for raising and lowering them, consisting in rack-barsa4, secured to the shutters near the tops and sides of the latter. IooThey may be so secured by rivets or otherwise. Adapted to engage withthese rackbars are pinions d5, which pinions are keyed on a shaft d",extending lengthwise of the car and journaled in suitable bearings inthe stanehions C. By rotating the shaft the shutters maybe raised orlowered, as desired. It is to be understood that all the shutters willbe raised and lowered simultaneously. I have shown the shutters soarranged that when elevated the slats d thereof will be opposite theslats D of the car, and the spaces between the slats a b will be open,save for the wire-netting which covers them. lVhen lowered, the slats dwill cover the spaces between the slats I). The use of wire-netting isadvantageous, because it tends to exclude dust and dirt which mightotherwise enter.

`The lower edges of the slats a., I have shown separating the stock.

transverse to the lengths of the slats. These partitions are to beelevated and lowered as occasion requires. I have shown means forelevating and lowering them, consisting in endless chains G. The chainsG are sprocketchains, and I have illustrated more clearly in vFigs. 7and S the means I employ for securing' -theslats tothe sprocket-chains.The ends of caps composed of two sections c c.

each of the slats are provided with metallic These sections embrace theends of the slats, one upon each side. They are composed of sidelportions c2, top and bottom iianges c3, and end flanges c". The endportions of the slats are preferably cut away, so that when the sectionsc c are in place their side and top and bot- -tom surfaces will be ilushwith the corresponding surfaces of the slats. The sections c e havingbeen placed about the end portions of the slats, they are securedthereon by'` means of bolts e, extending transversely through thesections and the slats. Then thus secured in place, the edges of theflanges e3 c4 will preferably meet, except as hereinafter stated. Whenin place on the slats, the sections e c' will preferably extend for somedistance beyond the ends ofthe slats, whereby spaces will be formedbetween the ends of the slats and the end iianges cl of the sec- Vtionse c of the caps. Each of the end flanges e1L has formed in its edge asemieircular recess c, which when the portions c e are secured 011 theslats forms a circular apertui'e through the end of the cap. As shown,this aperture is near the top of the caps. Each of these end flanges hasformed in its edge also, as shown, near its lower end, a longitudinalrecess c7, which recess extends for some distance in the direct-ion ofthe iiange and quite to the lower end thereof. When the sections c c arein place on the slats, the recesses c7 will be opposite each other andform a longitudinal slot in the end of the cap. The sprocket-chains areprovided at intervals in their lengths with projections or lugs es.These projections are, as shown, cylindrical and may be formed with thelinks of the chains. The outer ends of the projections are provided withflanged heads c. Previous to securing the sections e e of the caps onthe slats the projections e8 are brought into such position that whensaid sections are secured on the slats one of them will extend throughthe circular aperture formed by the semicircular recesses c, and theother will extend through the slot formed by the recesses el. The headse9 on the projections es will then be within the space between the endsof the slats and the end iianges c4 of the sections e e and the outwardmovement of the projections will be prevented. By this means the chainswill be secured to the slats.A By providing the ends of the caps withlongitudinal slots, as described, opportunity is afforded for movementof the projections e8 toward and from each other, which movement willoccur to a greater or less extent as the partitions are moved aroundcurves, in .manner to be now described.

The sprocket-chains G extend over and around sprocket-wheels gg2 g3 g4.The sprocket-wheels g are located beneath the iloor of the car and aremounted upon shafts gm, extending transversely to the length of thecarand journaled in the frame thereof. The sprocket-wheels g2 gare locatednear the roof of the car and nearly above the sprocketwheel g. They aremounted upon studs gf', formed upon metal plates g, which metal platesare secured to the stanehions C. The sprocket-wheels g4 are locatednearer the roof of the car than the wheels q2 g3 and at a considerabledistance therefrom, so that the sprocketchains will pass upwardly at anan-l gle from the wheels g2 gi to the wheels g, as shown more clearly inFig. 2. The wheels g4 are mounted upon suitable studs extending fromplates g1, secured to the frame of the car. It is very desirable thatthe sprocketchains when moving `up and down in a vcrtical plane shouldtravelus closely together as possible in order that as little space maybe taken up by the partitions and their appurtenances as possible. Forthis reason I secure to the under side of the iioor of the caranti-friction rollers go. These anti-friction rollers are above but inproximity to the sprocket-wheels g. The two portions of thesprocket-chains pass upon-the inside of the anti-friction rollers, whichlatter are in such near proximity to each other as to cause the twoportions of the sprocket-chains to be brought close together, as shownmore clearly in Fig. 2.v The two portions of the sprocketchains extendthrough longitudinal grooves 97, formed in the faces of the stanchionsC, as shown more clearly in Fig. 7. Metal plates gS are secured byscrews or otherwise to the IOO forming the side walls of the grooves.

front edges of the portions of the stanchions These plates extend for adistance over the front of the grooves, but do not meet. The caps on theen ds of the slats H extend into the grooves Q7 and through the spacesbetween the metal plates g8. Outwardly-extending flanges gg, with whichthe caps are provided, extend over the plates g8 inside the grooves, andthus prevent outward movement of the slats II. The plates g8 act asguides for the partitions in their up and down movements. In order tomaintain the vertical portions of the sprocket-chains in their relativenearness of juxtaposition, I arrange the sprocket-wheels g2 g3 as nearlyin vertical line with each other as possible and still maintain theseparation of the vertical portions of the sprocket-chains. I have foundit expedient to secure the wheels g2 g3 upon metal'plates g. Theseplates are L-shaped in the cross-section and arefitte'd upon corners ofthe stanchions C. I prefer to secure them to the stanchions by screws orconstruction in Figs. ll and 12.

bolts passing` through suitable apertures in that portion of the plateswhich extends at the sides of the stanchions. I have shown bolt-holesfor this purpose in Fig. 10. The` of the sprocket-wheels is providedwith a` hollow hub gn, which hub has upon one side an o eninlr 13. Shownmore'clearl in FiomV D y D 10.) Near the ends of the studs aretransversely-extending apertures adapted to receive cotter-pinsglt. Thewheels g2 g3 g4 having been placed on the studs, the Cotter-pins g14 arepassed through the opening gl3 and the apertures in the ends of thestuds,where by the wheels are secured on the studs.

The plates gw, upon which the sprocketwheels g4 are mounted, are soconstructed as to be adjusted into Vdierent positions in order to varythe tension upon the sprocketchains G as desired. I have shown this Theplates are provided near their ends with longitudinallyextending slotsglthrough which extend bolts g1g, by which the plates are secured to thecar. Extending at approximately right angles to the slots g17 andacross'the same are a number of parallel grooves g1",

- forming between them parallel ribs. Washers Q20 are employed, whichwashers have formed upon their inner faces ribs corresponding to thegrooves on the faces of the plates. By loosening the bolts the platesmay be moved longitudinally into any desired position, and then bytightening the bolts may be secured in such position. v

In order to elevate and lower the partitions,

the' shafts 915 are rotated. This may be done Y the sides of the car.

by applying a crank to squared ends of the shafts.

J designates pipes for water. As shown more clearly in Fig. 4, thesepipes extend to branch pipes J which communicate with water-tanks J 2,located at the ends of the car. At the joints between the pipes J J arecocks j, which may be operated to supply water to the pipesJ whendesired. The pipesJ extend in opposite directions along the ends of thecar, and then parallel with each other along I have shown two sets o'fthe pipes J, one extending from one end of the car and the other fromthe opposite end. The pipes of each set only extend as far as thedoorways upon each side of the car. vThese pipes as usually employed areexposed to the external atmosphere on the outside and to the internalatmosphere upon the inside of the car. In other words, the pipes J aresupported upon the frame of the car, alongitudinal space being left inthe portionD of the sides of the car to receive them in such manner thatportions of the pipes extend -to the exterior ofthe car and portions tothe inside of the car. In order -to prevent the freezing of the pipes, Iprovide protectors J11 to extend over and cover the pipes upon theexterior of the car. .These protectors are preferably made of sheetmetal, and, as shown, they are longitudinally curved, so that they maybe secured both at their top and bottom edges to the sides of the car,and stillV avoid coming in contact with the pipes J. These protectorsare hinged at their upper edges to the sides of the car, so that theymay be swung up and away from the pipes when desirable. I have shownturn-buttons e' on the sides of the car, which may be turned to securethe protectorsv at their lower edges when in position about the pipes.It will be perceived that these protectors form air-cham-4 ICO IIO

in its width is a receptacle L for hay or other fodder to be fed to thestock. This receptacle extendsl for a considerable distance in thedirection of the length of the car. It is provided with hinged coversupon its upper sides.

L designates airchambers arranged at and constituting the sides of thereceptacle L and extending in the direction of the length of the latter.These chambers are, vas shown, narrower than they are deep and haveperforations or apertures, as shown, in their bottoms, which affordcommunication between the interior of the car and the air-chambers.These chambers are closed at the top and are provided at their ends withdoors l, which may be opened to afford free passage of Aair through thechambers from end to end.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated the doors of one IZS Y of the chambers asopen and those of the other chamber as closed. Foul air from within theear rises through the said perforations into the air-chamber L, and whenthe doors Z are open a current of air will circulate through theair-chambers, carrying off the foul air therefrom. This action is ofcourse greatly augmented when the car is in motion. I have Vshown two ofsuch air-chambers; but I may use one or any other desired number, and Imay arrange them in different relations tothe receptacle L than thoseshown.

The side doors .112 of the car are composed of slats j, secured togetherin the usual or any convenient manner, so that the doors will be dexiblein the direction of their lengths, in order to enable them to be movedinto avertical position to close the doorways or into a horizontalposition beneath and near the roof of the car in order to leave thedoorways open. This is a common form of door; but I employ certain novelguides for facilitating the passage of the doors around the curves nearthe roof of the ear (indicated by the letter J 13) when the doors areassuming their different positions. These guides consist of curvedpieces of metal J, which may be cast or formed in any other suitablemanner. As shown more clearly in Fig. 17, they are U-shaped in thecross-section and their outer sides are provided with iianges jl, whichmay be bolted or otherwise secured to the wood-work of the car. Atintervals in thelengths of the sides of the guides spaces -are formed,in which are arranged anti-friction rollers or bowls jG. These rollersor bowls are mounted upon studs, which are preferably cast with theguides when the latter are formed by casting. Vhen the doors are beingopened or closed, they will come in contact near their side edges withthe rollers or bowls j, and their passage around the curves J 13 willthereby be materially facilitated.

In Fig. 1 I have shown means for raising and lowering the doors,consisting in endless chains J4, passing around pulleys j", mounted on ashaft j@ below the car, jonrnaled in suitable bearings on the framethereof, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2. The chains are arranged beyondthe side edges of the doors, and one of their ends is secured to thedoor near the bottom of the latter and the other of their ends near thetop thereof. When the doors are down, the chains pass upwardly from thepulleys j to and over pulleys j, thence horizontally to and aroundpulleys 710, thence backwardly on themselves to and over pulleys j, andthence to the tops of the doors. Of course the position of the chainsrelatively to the pulleys j will be changed as the doors are raised. Thepulleys in Fig. l I have shown only in dotted outline. They are mountedupon studs secured in any suitable manner to the frame 0l the car. Thenthe doors occupy their horizontal po.- sition near the roof of the car,they are supported upon metal supports I', here shown as L-shaped incross-section. These supports are secured to the frame of the car in anysuitable manner. Motion is transmitted to t-he shafts js by shafts j, ofwhich I have shown but one. The shafts j extend transversely to thelength of the car and beneath the same. They are jourualed in suit-ablebearings thereon. Upon their inner ends are mounted bevel gearwheels j,which gearwheels engage other bevel gear-wheels j on the shaftj, NVhenthe shafts j are rotated, rotary motion is transmitted to the shafts js,whereby the doors may be raised or lowered. The shafts 7'12 may berotated by means of a hand-crank engaging squared heads on the outerends of the shafts.

In Figs. 2, 15, and 16 I have illustrated a different mode of arrangingthe chains for elevating and lowering the doors and of the pulleys overwhich the chains pass, also a different niode of attaching the chains tothe door. In this example of my improvement the chains are secured tothe lower ends of the doors only. Only two pulleys are shown for eachchain, the pulleys j and pulleys j", arranged near the top of the car. Ihave also shown idler rollers or bowlsjl, for causing the standing partsof' the chains to travel in close proximity to each other.

P designates a trough for feed and water, of which I may use any desirednumber. They may be mounted on the pipes J or in any other suitablemanner.

I do not claim, broadly, herein a movable partition composed of slatsand spacing-links hinged at each end thereof, as said feature is claimedby me in another application numbered 181,985.

W'hat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is

l. In a stock-car, the combination,with.movable partitions composed ofslats, ot' caps 011 said slats provided with apertures in their ends,the said caps extending beyond the ends of' the slats to form spacesbetween the ends of the caps and the slats, sprocket-chains, andprojections on said chains extending through said apertures and engagingthe caps, substantially as specified.

2. In a stock-car, the co1nbination,\vith movable partitions composed ofslats, .of caps on said slats provided with apertures in their ends andextended beyond the ends of the slats to form spaces between the ends ofthe caps and the slats, projections on said chains extending throughsaid apertures and en gaging the caps, stanchions provided withlongitudinal grooves, through which said chains extend, plates securedto. the fronts of the stauchions and extending over said grooves, andanges in said caps contacting with saidv plates, substantially asspecified.

In a stock-car, the co1nbination,with movable partitions composed ofslats, of chains for elevating and lowering the partitions, stanchiensfor the car provided with longitudinal IOO IIO

grooves, through which said chains extend, plates secured to thestanchions above said grooves, two studs on each of said plates,andpulleys mounted on said studs, over which said chains pass,substantially as specified.

4. In a stock-car, the combination,with movable partitions composed oislats, of chains for elevating and lowering the partitions, stan` andinclosing the same, substantially as specified.

6. In a stock-car, the combination, With Water-supply pipes exposed toboth the inside and outside of the car, of protectors for said pipeshinged to the outside of the car and normally inclosing the pipes,substantially as specified.

1 7. The combination, with a receptacle for feed arranged upon the topof the car and having hinged covers, of an air-chamber at the side ofsaid receptacle closed at its top, perforations in the roof of the caropening into said air-chamber, and doors at each end of the air-chamber,substantially as speciiied.

8. In a stock-car, thecombination, Withja receptacle for feed arrangedupon the roof of the car, provided with hinged covers, of an air-chamberupon each side of ysaid receptacleand forming' the side Walls thereof,each of` said air-chambers being closed4 at the top and provided withopenings communicating with the interior of the car, and doors at theends ofthe air-chambers, substantially as specified. l

9. In a stock-car, the combinationvith movable partitions, of chains forraising and lowering said partitions, pulleys over which said chainspass, and rollers or bowls adjacent to said pulleys forcing the standingparts of said chains into close proximity to each other, substantiallyas speciied.

BEJAMIN r.4 nHoLMns.

W'itnesses: l i

D. H. DRIsooLL, M. J. RoAcH.

